Eats plants
I inadvertently disturbed a wasp’s nest in the compost heap at the allotment today. Someone told me a couple of weeks ago there was a wasp’s nest in my compost … Continue reading More wasp mishaps, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, and some good news
I’ve got a lovely thistle in the garden that’s blooming right now and bees love it. Isn’t this much nicer than featureless paving stones and grass? It’s supporting the bee … Continue reading Summer bounty
We have a Victoria plum tree and this year it has been particularly productive so I’ve been making plum jam.
The rescue of 200 cats and dogs from Afghanistan has produced lots of incorrect media reports. Much reporting has been very good but there have been a few articles I’ve … Continue reading Is it fair to blame a charity worker for the government’s bungled Afghan withdrawal?
Today started at around 2am with the cat meowing at me. She wanted to go outside but we don’t let her out at night and usually she’s very happy with … Continue reading Sunday diary: good food and wild swimming
In his book, Do No Evil, Michael Berumen writes that ethical judgements are universal and apply just as much to business as to any other social venue. He argues that … Continue reading People who make the world a better place
We haven’t been for walk in the country for a while. Saturdays are busy again with Highland Dance and Sundays is allotment day. Late this afternoon we decided to head … Continue reading Sunday walk at Crathes Castle
I have been more than a little moved over the past 24 – 48 hours by the plight of Pen Farthing and the Nowzad animal rescue team in Afghanistan. They … Continue reading Escaping Afghanistan with 200 dogs and cats
My latest addition to the vintage clothing collection is this gorgeous 1960s velvet dress with organza ruffling and a plunging neckline. It is really long and goes right to the … Continue reading Vintage 1960s dress
I had an encounter with the local wildlife on the weekend: a wasp stung me on my lip. It was not a particularly nice experience. I blame the cinnamon bun. … Continue reading The wasp and the sticky bun
A third UK pet food manufacturer has released an insect-based cat food this year. Yora has been making insect-based dog food for a little while but the cat food was … Continue reading Victoria gives Yora’s insect-based cat food the paws-up
Refilleries are popping up everywhere in Aberdeen; soon we’ll need two hands to count them all. A refillery is a type of grocery store that allows you to refill containers … Continue reading Refillosophy
Last Sunday we went to the Exclusively Highlands art, craft, and food fair at Kincardine Castle. This market travels around Scotland and sells exclusively locally made goods which is why … Continue reading Exclusively Highlands
I used to write about climate change quite a bit on my blog. The first posts date from 2013. I was usually prompted to write after having an emotional reaction … Continue reading Another report and the message on climate change is still the same – our emissions must be zero
I was very excited to see this art by Helen Bur on the side of a building in Aberdeen. It’s terrific. The couple in the scene are friends of hers … Continue reading Helen Bur art in Aberdeen #nuart
Growing up in Australia has given me a healthy respect for dangerous wildlife. Sometimes it feels like every animal is trying to eat or poison you which is unsurprising given … Continue reading Levelling-up the animals
Our holiday is over. All good things must come to an end and now we have lots of wonderful memories to tide us over until the next one. The week … Continue reading A week in Braemar
Today we went on a tour of Braemar Castle, an L-plan tower house built in 1628 by John Erskine. It has a colourful history having been a hunting lodge, an … Continue reading Braemar Castle
We did something special for Elizabeth today to commemorate her finishing primary school and starting high school. She somehow missed both the beginning and the end of primary school and … Continue reading High tea at the Fife Arms
The Ballochbuie Forest is a fine remnant of the ancient Caldeonian forest which once covered much of Scotland. It was saved from being felled by Queen Victoria in 1878 and … Continue reading Ballochbuie forest and the Falls of Garbh Allt
